Delas Frères St. Joseph François de Tournon
Rhône, France
Vintage:2022 (Current)
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Reviews
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points
Fermented with 20% stems, the 2022 Saint Joseph Francois De Tournon brings another level of everything. Red and black fruits, graphite, smoke, and crushed stone all define the aromatics, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, has a layered, ripe, seamless mouthfeel, and building yet fine tannins. Drink 2025-2035.
Wine Spectator 92 Points
Stylish and polished, with dark berry and plum notes bolstered by black tea tannins and a taut line of mineral energy. Sweet cedar spice and mesquite elements reveal generous oak polish, which will integrate with time. The finish is succulent, with vibrant acidity. Offers ripe fruit, but there's still a lot of graphite minerality simmering underneath. Best from 2026 through 2032.
The Wine Advocate 92 Points
Crafted from own and purchased grapes, all situated in the communes of Saint-Jean de Muzol and Vion, the 2022 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is fermented with 20% whole bunches. Evoking a spicy, oaky character with aromas of dark berries, licorice and iris, it's medium to full-bodied with a dense and deep palate characterized by a moderately tannic but assertive frame that segues into a long, austere and slightly oaky finish brought by the malolactic fermentation that took place in barrels. Fully matured in barrels, 30% of which were new, this well-crafted wine shows aging potential. Allowing it to mellow for 3-4 years in the cellar is recommended.
JamesSuckling.com 94 Points
Deep nose of forest berries, smoke and bitter chocolate with some laurel. A concentrated and seriously structured St.-Joseph with an excellent tannin structure and some balsamic and stony complexity in the long, plush finish. A pure syrah that was matured exclusively in Burgundian oak barrels, of which almost 30% were new. Very good aging potential. Drink from 2026.
Overview
The ancient vineyards of Saint-Joseph, planted almost exclusively with Syrah, cover more than 600 acres on the right bank of the Rhône river. The vineyard stretches from Chavanay in the north, to Guilherand in the south – it covers 23 "communes" in the Ardèche region, and three in the Loire Valley. The grapes are planted in terraces on the rocky granite hillsides, where Delas selects only the best grapes for this cuvée. The "Francois de Tournon" is a blend of grapes from the terroirs of Vion, Saint-Jean de Muzols, Mauves and Tournon.
Exposure is south and south-east and the soils consist of light schist and gneiss over a granite bedrock. The climate is moderately continental, with hot and dry summers, and normal rainfall the rest of the year. The wine was reputed in the 16th century for its delicacy, and was poured at the table of the kings of France. It was the Jesuits (a monk community) of Tournon who gave the area its current name, in the 17th century. Between 1956 and 1969, all the vineyards from this area which used to be named Côtes du Rhône were regrouped and established under the appellation Saint-Joseph.
Winemaking
The grapes for this cuvée are picked by hand at optimum ripeness. Fermentation is traditional in open-topped concrete tanks, and is preceded by two days of cold maceration. It is conducted at controlled temperatures of 82°F to 86°F. Daily cap pushing down and pumping over are carried out for about 10 days. The total vatting time lasts up to 20 days. After drawing-off and pressing, malolactic fermentation takes place in oak barrels. The wine is matured between 10 to 14 months in oak barrels of one to three years of age. Part of the cuvée is aged in vats to preserve the freshness of the fruit.
Tasting Notes
The color is a deep, dark ruby red with a garnet reflection. The nose is clearly marked by delicate aromas of cassis and spices. On the palate, this cuvée shows a smooth and voluptuous texture that masks a good tannic structure, fine and silky. this wine has great potential for aging.
Harvest Notes
2022 was the driest year since 2011, with 200 mm less than the average. After a late budbreak, a warm spring accelerated ripening, leading to an early vintage. The heatwave limited yields but ensured a healthy harvest.
Food Pairing
This wine pairs well with fine meats, spicy stews, grilled meats, game and any kind of cheese.
Technical Information
Varietals: 100% Syrah